Master buoy system for acoustic array deployment, using underwater glide bodies remotely launched from a submerged pod

Abstract

A method and apparatus deploys a hydrophone array in a predetermined patt. A master buoy includes a float and an anchor which hold a central portion at a predetermined depth in the water. A number of hydrodynamically shaped glide vehicles are disengaged from the central portion and glide radially outwardly from it. When the glide vehicles come to rest, strings of hydrophones are released and buoyed from the bottom in a preestablished pattern. Acoustic energy impinging on the hydrophones, optionally is fed to a transmitting unit on the float or to a remote installation via a cable lying on the bottom.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of deploying an array of hydrophones in a body of water comprising: releasing an anchor portion from a central body portion carrying a number of hydrophone transport vehicles;   disengaging the vehicles from the central body portion;   gliding the vehicles radially outwardly from the central body portion to rest on the bottom boundary of the body of water; and   freeing the hydrophones from the radially disposed vehicles.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1 further including: maintaining the central body portion a predetermined distance above the anchor portion by a tether after releasing the anchor portion from the central body portion to assure the extent of the radially outwardly gliding of the hydrophone transport vehicles.   
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 2 further including: anchoring the freed hydrophones as the radially disposed vehicles rest on the bottom of the body of water and the freeing of the hydrophones is the buoying up of them from the radially disposed vehicles.   
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 3 further including: releasing a float portion from the central body portion to aid in the maintaining of the central body portion the predetermined distance above the anchor portion.   
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 4 further including: transmitting signals representative of acoustic energy impinging on the hydrophones from the float portion.   
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 5 futher including: delivering the float portion, the central body portion and anchor portion into the body of water prior to the steps of deploying, disengaging, gliding and releasing, maintaining and anchoring.   
     
     
       7. An apparatus for deploying an array of hydrophones in a body of water comprising: means disposed at a predetermined depth in the body of water for releasing an anchor portion from a central body portion; and   means carried on the central body portion for gliding radially outwardly from the central body portion to rest on the bottom boundary of the body of water and for freeing the hydrophones to allow a buoyant suspension of the hydrophones.   
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to claim 7 further including: means connected to the central body portion and anchor portion for maintaining the central body portion a predetermined distance above the anchor portion and thereby limit the limits of the radially outwardly glided deployment of the hydrophones.   
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to claim 8 further including: means connected to the central body portion for buoying the central body portion to further ensure the maintaining of the central body portion the predetermined distance above the anchor portion.   
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to claim 9 further including: means coupled to the central body portion for transmitting signals representative of acoustic energy impinging on the hydrophones.   
     
     
       11. An apparatus for hydrodynamically deploying at least one hydrophone means comprising: means for defining an elongate body member having a cavity to contain the hydrophone means therein;   means mounted on the aft end of the defining means for creating a hydrodynamic positive pitching moment to increase pitching stability; and   means mounted on top of the defining means for providing hydrodynamic lift, the center of lift of which is aft of the center of gravity of the apparatus.   
     
     
       12. An apparatus according to claim 11 further including: means interposed between the defining means and the providing means for raising the providing means above the defining means to increase roll stability, the raising means is configured to orient the providing means in a positive aspect with respect to the longitudinal axis of the defining means.   
     
     
       13. An apparatus according to claim 12 further including: means mounted on the top of the aft end of the defining means for ensuring yaw stability and the providing means is shaped with a positive dihedral angle to further increase roll stability.   
     
     
       14. An apparatus to claim 13 in which the providing means is a delta shaped wing, the creating means is a horizontal stabilizer and the ensuring means is a vertical stabilizer. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus according to claim 14 further including: means mounted on the elongate body member for closing the cavity.   
     
     
       16. An apparatus according to claim 15 further including: means extending through the elongate body member for releasing the closing means from its covering position over the cavity when it is displaced upon striking an object.   
     
     
       17. An apparatus according to claim 16 in which the closing means is fashioned from a buoyant material and is connected to the hydrophone means. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus according to claim 17 further including: means disposed within the elongate body member for carrying the hydrophone means and   means disposed within the elongate body member for urging the carrying means toward the opening of the cavity.   
     
     
       19. An apparatus according to claim 18 in which, upon the displacement of the releasing means, the closing means is buoyed upward, the urging means pushes the carrying means toward the opening and the closing means pulls the hydrophone means from the cavity. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus according to claim 19 in which the elongate body member has a sufficient mass to function as an anchor for the hydrophone means and the hydrophone means includes several hydrophones coupled to a preamplifier having a conductor extending to the elongate body member and on to remote monitoring circuitry.